Monday 4th October 2021 

So my plan today was to lean heavily on ToDoist and then use my tasks for the day to block out time to get them completed. 

Except I forgot that when I’m super busy, I tend to ease off using ToDoist.  So there were a ton of overdue recurring tasks that when I cleared them off, they got set for the future and meant my actual ToDo list was relatively small today. 

I need to do a big review on some tasks as there were some in there that are no longer relevant, but, because I never did them when they were, haven’t been crossed off.  And there were a ton of smaller tasks that as I did them throughout the day today, I thought… this really should have been in ToDoist. 

The good news though was that the day was productive AND I got over 7000 words written.  I filmed a new Write Productively video that I plan to upload tomorrow, and I actually logged into World of Warcraft for the first time in ages to do Darkmoon Faire Profession Quests.  I even did some research for a project I’m looking to complete. 

The net result is I feel like I’ve had a good start to the week. 

I’ve had this theory that I’m coming out of a Pandemic slump.  My health hasn’t been good over the pandemic and I still have a long way to go.  I’m starting to realise just how physically ill I was (not Covid) back at the start of the year.  It’ll be a while before I’m back to full health but I certainly feel miles better than I did.  As a result, I feel that productivity currently hasn’t been quite the fight it was at the beginning of the year. 

I think I’m good at coping.  I find ways around my problems but it often masks the issue.  I’ve got a good, healthy productivity system that acts as a safety net when things aren’t going well.  On days like today, when I’m busy but things are going well, I use it less. 

Over the Pandemic I’ve leaned on it hard.  It’s allowed me to get things done, but it’s not come easy.  And when my energy levels have been low I’ve again masked it with sugar and caffeine.  The net result is I’ve coped through the pandemic, but hidden (even from myself) just how much of a struggle it’s been.   

Others have certainly had it worse, so I don’t complain, but the result is that as both my physical health and energy levels have improved, so I’ve found it easier to focus and plough through tasks. 

Maybe this is a short term thing, and I am aware that it’s not going to take much to push me too far and make myself ill again, but I’ve ended today with everything done and don’t feel mentally exhausted by it all. 

The plan for this week is for this to continue – getting lots of writing done, as well as other non-writing tasks – and sees how it pans out. 

But I can feel myself week by week feeling lighter and more focused, where work doesn’t feel like it needs to be wrestled to completion. 

Maybe I’m still some months of being 100% but I feel I’m heading in the right direction. 

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Past Years: 2020 – The Year of Being Fearsome | 2019 – The Year of Soldiering Through | 2018 – The Year of Priorities | 2017 – The Year Of The Offensive